[Chris Saper]

Dear Pat,

I think you have really done a great job in this portrait from life! I think one of the most difficult things about painting from life is the frenzied need to go too fast. In my experience, the things you have handled successfully are RARELY executed in life sessions.

Here's what I think you have overcome:

-Successful figure placement and overall composition. So rarely do painters take the time up front to think through the placement of the figure on the canvas, and yet it is a decision ( whether purposeful or by default) that can't be corrected later.

-You have lush passages of line quality and texture, that I don't think can happen by design ( although they certainly should! )

-Your negative spaces contribute greatly to the overall composition.

Paint more from life. Sharon is so very right, it's impossible to successfully paint from photos without the hours of life drawing.

Happy holidays.